Letter: Wheelchair-accessible stores lacking in city

Note: The statements, views, and opinions contained in this letter to the editor are those of the author and are not endorsed by, nor do they necessarily reflect, the opinions of The Republic.

From: William Pumphrey Jr.

Columbus

My buddy and I stopped by to check out a new store. Just like any other newly opened place in town, we had to wait till someone opened the door to enter using our wheelchairs. Asked the company representative who was there a question: “Why didn’t you install automatic doors?” Her response, “None of our stores have automatic doors.”

Nothing new here. Just like all the new places opening in the great, wonderfully diverse Columbus, its disabled population is expected to sit and wait on the mercy of others instead of accommodating them with an independent means of achievement. Threaten with intimidation and retaliation all you want, but enough is enough and this form of discrimination is going to end. Everybody else wants their civil rights, and the law is the law.

Ignorance is no excuse for not complying with the ADA civil rights act, and the reply given was ignorant. Might be a good story for some investigative reporter to expose why such attitudes continue. Know of any?